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Lowari tunnel opening, optimal utilisation demanded
-letter
As the Lowari pass would be closed any time now,
it is requested that arrangements be made well before time for
timely opening and smooth traveler friendly arrangements at the
tunnel, learning from last years mistakes. Last year
travelers faced great hardships due to poor arrangements at the
tunnel. It is hoped that same will not be repeated this year.
Last year just two hours were given for tunnel
usage which was insufficient and caused great problem for
travelers. The timings for opening of the tunnel should be
between 0900 hrs to 1700hrs and proper reception arrangements
should be made for travelers at both ends.
Unevenness of the tunnel floor and uncontrolled
flow of seepage water in the tunnel should be checked and
channelised on the sides before opening it. These are minor
works wanting only few hours of bulldozer effort.
A tax of Rs 100 can be imposed on each vehicle
passing through the tunnel, provided the money doesn't go down
the well, but is used for facilitating the tunnel users.
It is hoped that NHA authorities will make amends
for last years failures in providing smooth and efficient tunnel
service to the people.
--Arshad Ali, Chitral, 31 Oct 10.
Comment 1
Last year despite no work going on inside the
tunnel it was opened for only two hours daily due to sadistic
attitude of NHA administrators of the tunnel.
There is still no work going on inside the tunnel
and if it would have been kept open during summers, millions of
dollars in imported fuel would have been saved for the country.
We hope now when the pass closes, the tunnel would be kept open
round the clock or at least from dawn to dusk. There is simply
no justification for not doing so.
I do not agree with the imposition of Rs
100 per vehicle tax on tunnel crossing. In all probability the
tax money would be gobbled up by the collectors and no benefit
would be transferred to the travelers. Let the NHA provide the
facilities from huge funds they are getting to maintain the
tunnel. --Muhammad Bilal, Chitral,
01 Nov 10
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